Ski carrier



June 21,' 1966 J. A. MIESEL 3,257,054-

SKI CARRIER Filed Oct. 12, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

JACK A. MIESEL June 21, 1966 J. A. MIESEL 3,257,054

SKI CARRIER Filed Oct. 12, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS June 21, 1966 J. A. MIESEL 3,257,054

SKI CARRIER Filed Oct. 12, 1964 a Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR JACK A. MIESEL %:;ZL ATTO NEYS 3,257,054 SKI CARRIER Jack A. Miesel, 2220 Highfield, Drayton Plains, Mich.

The application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 35 8,820 filed April 10, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to the art of carriers and more particularly has references to a combination carrier and clamp for ski equipment and the like.

Due to their length and configuration, conventional snow skis are extremely awkward and difiicult to transport from place to place, or to store when not in use. A number of devices have heretofore been provided or suggested in response to this problem. These devices usually comprise various types of clamps adapted to fasten to the edges or upper faces of a pair of skis placed in bottom to bottom abutment, and to secure the two skis rigidly to- United States Patent gether. This permits the skis to be then handled as a Several devices have. been suggested for retaining the skis and poles together. Among these are various types of clamps which hold the poles rigidly against the skis, and devices which maintain the poles in spaced relation with respect to the skis. Some of these clamps are provided with handles or similar structures for carrying the skis and poles as a unit.

However, each of these devices is complicated, bulky, and expensive. None of them are adapted to fix the poles and skis together, provide a carrying bundle, and yet to be so compact and light in weight as to be easily carried in a coat pocket or the like when not in use. This is extremely important to the skier who wishes to carry his skis and poles to the point where skiing is to begin and either has no place there where he can safely store his ski clamp while he is gone, or else doesnot intend to return to that area at all. In such a case, it is highly desirable that his ski clamp and carrier be compact enough to fit in his pocket or the like while he is skiing, ready for use when his skis are eventually removed.

Another problem associated with skis and ski poles is that of the possibility of theft. The skis and poles must frequently be left in the open or in various public areas for some period of time.' Several locks and clamps have heretofore been suggested for locking the skis and/ or the ski poles to a nearby stationary fixture. However, none of these clamps forms an integral part of a combination ski clamp and carrier device. As a result, separate equipment must be provided for each of these functions.

With each of the above problems in mind, the present invention has for its primary object that of providing a combination clamp and carrying device for equipment such as skis and ski poles.

Another object of the present invention is -to provide a device of this kind which may be quickly applied to the equipment and removed therefrom when not in use.

.Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination device of this kind which is simple, of light weight, compact, and easily stored in the users pocket or carried around his waist.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device for skis and ski poles which may be employed in addition to conventional ski-clamps or other ski-carrying means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device for skis and ski poles on which one may easily attach other equipment such as ski goggles, ski gloves, and the like. A ski boot tree (or carrier) may be supported with the same hand that supports the carrying device.

Yet another object is to provide a device of this kind which may be employed to lock such skiing equipment to a tree, pole, ski rack or other suitable fixture.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention which will be subsequently described in detail, the device comprises a length of smooth flexible cable having a small spring clamp at each end and a flexible handle mounted midway therebetween. The device is used for carrying the skis and poles by passing each end of the cable about this skiing equipment and securing the clamps on the cable to form loops at each end thereof. The clamps are adapted to slidingly lock along the cable. The device may be easily employed to secure the poles and skis tightly together by sliding the clamps along the cable and thereby reducing the size of the loop until they fit tightly about the skis and poles. The user grasps the handle and lifts the entire package as a unit.

When the device is to be used to secure the skis and poles to a stationary object such as a tree, or ski rack, one of the clamps is passed through the ski bindings and pole loops or straps, and then around the appropriate tree or ski rack. The clamp is then secured to the opposite end of the cable by means of a small lock, adapted for this purpose. For convenience, the lock may remain attached to the carrier at all times.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, which will also be subsequently described in detail, the device comprises a length of smooth flexible cable having a pair of clamp members slidably carried on the cable. Means are provided for removably securing the ends of the cable to the clamp members so that a loop is formed at each end thereof, which can be enlarged or tightened by moving the clamp members to different positions along the cable. A flexible handle is provided midway between the ends of the cable. The carrier is used in the manner described above by securing the equipment within the loops and then grasping the handle to carry the entire package.

To lock the equipment to a stationary object one of the clamp is passed through the ski bondings and pole loops or straps, and then around the fixed object. The clamp is then secured to the opposite end of the cable by a locking means proivded in and a part of one of the clamps.

It can'be seen that the devices of the present invention can be quickly mounted about the skis and poles. The clamps are easily slid along the cable by the user with one hand to tighten the loops in noose-like fashion about the skis and poles, while the other hand holds the skis and poles together in position. The loops may similarly be enlarged with one hand in order to remove the skis and poles while the other'hand supports the ski equipment.

The present devices are therefore simple in construction, easy to use, and can be conveniently stored in the skiers pocket or the like when not in use. The present carriers may be inexpensively fabricated out of a variety of standard commercially available materials and hence are readily adaptable for large scale production.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments thereof. The description makes reference to the drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, employed as a ski carrier, in fully extended position,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 mounted in position on a pair of skis and ski poles,

FIG, 3 is a perspective view of the device mounted as in FIG. 2 and carried by the skier,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 employed to lock the skis and poles to a ski rack,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating an other preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which the loops are formed in the device of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which the ends of the cable are locked together in the device of FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 is an elevational end view of'one of the clamp members of the device illustrated in FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially at line 55 of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the device may be carried around a skiers waist when not in use,

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a preferred modification of one of the clamp members of the device of FIG. 5, and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen from the right hand side of FIG. 11.

Description Referring to FIGS. 1-4 in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention employed as a ski carrier is illustrated as generally including a flexible cable 10 having a clamp 12 at each end.

The cable 10, constructed of rubber or plastic-coated metal material, is about four feet long and has a handle 14, constructed of a short section of flexible tubing, mounted midway along its length.

'Each clamp 12 comprises a stationary flat body 16 having an internally bored projection and an internally bored end wall 24. The body includes a pair of transversely projecting ears 26 and 28 extending outwardly from the central portion of the body 16 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the clamp 12. The car 28 on one of the clamp bodies 16 (at the left of FIG. 1) includes a hole 30 extending therethrough.

The end of the cable 10 is fixed permanently in the end wall 24 in the body 16. A short rod 32 is fixed in the projection 22 and terminates in its opposite end in a hook portion 34.

A small metal spool member 36 is disposed along the rod 32 and is normally biased toward the hook 34 by a coil spring 38 which extends about the rod between the spool and the body 16. The spool 36 has a first flange 40 at one end adjacent which the spring 38 is adapted to bear, and a second flange 42 at its opposite or outer end which is normally contacted by the side of the returning portion 43 of hook 34.

A small conventional padlock 44 is removably mounted on one of the bodies 16 (at the left of FIG. 1) by means of its locking bar 46 which extends through the hole 30 in the body. A removable key 48 is provided for the padlock 44.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the manner in which the device of FIG. 1 is used as a carrier and clamp. A pair of skis 50 are first stood vertically in bottom-to-bottom abutment and the wrist straps 52 of the ski poles 54 are placed over the tips of one of the skis. A pair of conventional ski clamps 55 are locked about the skis at the ends thereof. One end of the cable 10 is passed around the skis 50 and poles 54 just forward of the ski bindings 56, and returned upon itself to form a loop 58. The clamp 12 is brought adjacent a point along the length of the cable, and the spool 36 moved downwardly against the force of the spring 38 so as to provide a space between the flange 42 and the end of the hook 34. The cable 10 is pushed under the hook 34 and the pressure on the spool 36 is released. This causes the hook to hold the cable against the flange 42.

The tension in spring 38 is sufficient to cause the clamp 12 to engage the cable 10 but it permits the clamp to be slid along the length of the cable when sufficient force is applied in the direction of descend movement. Thus the size of the loop 58 may be reduced by pushing the clamp 12 toward the encircled ski equipment. This is done until the loop fits tightly about the skis and poles and thereby acts as a clamp in retaining the equipment rigidly together as a single unit. The clamp 12 is sufliciently tight so as to prevent the loop 58 from being loosened merely by carrying or jarring the skis and poles. However, the loop 58 may be intentionally enlarged by pulling the clamp 12 along the cable 10 in the direction away from encircled ski equipment. These tightening and loosening operations are easily and quickly performed with one hand while the other hand supports the skis 5t) and poles 54 in either a horizontal or vertical position.

The other end of the cable 10 is similarly passed around the skis and poles immediately behind the bindings 56 and the clamp 12 secured to the cable 10 to form another loop 58. This loop is reduced so as to clamp the skis and poles together in the same manner as described above with respect to the first loop.

With the two loops 58 at the end of the cable 10 thus encircling the ski equipment at two points at opposite ends of the binding 56, the central portion of the cable 10 and the handle 14 are disposed longitudinally in spaced relation with respect to the ski equipment. The handle 14 is grasped by the hand as indicated at 60 in FIG. 3, with the entire bundle or package of skis and poles carried as a unit depending below the handle. The user can carry two separate sets of skis and poles in this manner, one with each hand. Other ski equipment such as boots may be readily carried along with the skis and poles by grasping the boots tree handle with the same hand that supports the ski carrier handle 14.

The device of FIG. 1 may be used solely as a carrier, if desired, by clamping the skis together with conventional clamps at each end and attaching the cable 10 in the same fashion as described above. The loops 58 will retain the ski poles 54 together with the clamped skis if this is desired.

FIG. 4 shows how the present device may be employed to lock the skis and poles to a conventional ski rack 62. The skis 50 are stood vertically back-to-back between the support pegs 64 on the rack 62. The ski poles 54 are hung on the rack with the loops 52 encircling one of the pegs 64. One end of the cable 10 is then passed through the ski bindings 56 of both skis, around the rack 62, through the loops 5'2, and locked to the opposite end of the cable with the padlock 44 as indicated in FIG. 4. In this position the locking bar 46 of the padlock encircles the cable 10, of the opposite end of the carrier, immediately in front of its adjacent clamp 12. The padlock thus locks this large loop closed and prevents the skis and poles from being separated from the cable without the key 48.

Any ski equipment may be locked to any stationary fixture in the same manner as described above.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 as comprising a flexible cable having a pair of clamps 112-113 slidably mounted on the cable 110. The cable 110 is also preferably constructed of rubber or plastic coated metal material and is provide with a handle 114 constructed of a short section of flexible tubing mounted midway along its length and separating the clamps 112413.

Each clamp 1124113 preferably comprises a fiat body 116 having a flat surface 118. A pair of through bores 124 and 126 are provided in the body 116 and have their axes substantially parallel with the plane of the surface 118. The cable 110 extends through the bores 124. The

surface 118 is recessed as at 128- so that the bore 126 is open axially through the surface 118. As can best be seen in FIG. 9 the bores 124 preferably extend angularly with respect to the bores 126. The bores 126 are enlarged as at 130 as can best be seen in FIG. 9. The clamp 113 is provided with a recessed projection 134 which carries a rotatably mounted locking disc 136. The locking disc 136 includes an axially extending cam projection 138 disposed adjacent the edge of the disc 138 and which is rotated with the disc 136 by key 140 into the bore 126. As is conventional, the locking disc' 136 can only be rotated by the key 140.

The ends of the cable 110 are provided with enlarged end members 142 preferably of metal and having an annular enlarged portion 144 and are adapted to be received axially in the bores 126 with the enlarged portions 144 engaging the annular edge formed by the annular enlargements 130 of the bores 126. The recesses 128 are dimensioned to receive the cable 110 but to prevent the end members 142 from being separated from the clamp members 112-113 through the recesses so that to position the end members 142-or to remove them from the recesses 126 it is necessary to bring the recesses 1 28 in registry with the cable 110 at a point spaced from the ends thereof. The end members 142 are also provided with annular recesses 145.

FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which the device of FIG. is looped so that it can be used as a carrier and a clamp in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The skis and ski poles are positioned as described above and are not shown in FIG. 6. The ends of the cable 110 are passed around the skis and returned upon themselves to form a loop 158 at each end. The end members 142 are positoned in the bores 126 and are prevented from moving axially from the bores 126 by the enlarged portions 144. The bores 124 are of a sufiicient diameter to permit the clamp merribers 112113 to be slid along the length of the cable 110 so that the size of the loop 158 may be reduced by pushing the clamp members 112, toward the encircled ski equipment. The resultant angular positioning of the cable with respect to the bores 124 increases friction and resists enlargement of the loops 158 so as to prevent loosening of the loops 158 during carrying of theski equipment. The loops 158, however, may be intentionally enlarged by pushing the clamp members 112 away from the ski equipment.

With the two loops 158 secured about the ski equipment the carrier of FIG. 5 is used substantially as described above with reference to the carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates the manner in which the ends of the device of FIG. 5 can be locked together so that the device can be used to lock ski equipment to a stationary object such as a ski rack or the like. The ski equipment would be preferably positioned as described above with reference to FIG. 4 with the end member 142 opposite the clamp member 1 13 positioned within the bore 126 of clamp member 114. The end member 142 adjacent the clamp member 113 is sufficiently large and the bore 124 is sufficiently small to prevent the clamp member 113 from being separated from the end of cable 110 through the bore 124. With the end of the cable 110 fastened together in this manner the key 140 is rotated to rotate the locking disc 136 to thereby rotate the cam projection 138 into the recess 145 of the end member 142. With the cam projection 138 locked within the recess 145, the end member 142 is prevented from moving axially so that the end member 142 is securely locked to the clamp member 113.

The device of FIG. 5 may be carried in the pocket when not in use or it may be'positioned in belt-like fashion around the skiers waist. FIG. illustrates the manner in which the devices of the present invention can be carried around the skiers waist. If it is to be positioned around the skiers waist the end members 142 are positioned in 6 the clamp members 112413 at the opposite ends of the cable and the clamp members 112-113 are then slid away from each other along the cable 110 to-tighten the carrier about the skiers waist. The angular positioning of the-bores 124 tends to .retain the cable in its tightened position.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate a preferred modification of the clamp member 112 of the device illustrated in FIGS. 5-9. The modified clamp 212 comprises a flat body 216 having a flat surface 218. A pair of through bores 224 and 2-26 are provided in the body 216 having their axes substantiallyparallel with the plane of the surface 218. The cable 110 extends through the bore 224.

The surface 218 is recessed as at 228 and 229 so that the bore 226 is open axially through the surface 218 and a portion of the axial length of the bore 224 is also open through the surface 218. A recess 23-1 is provided in the surface 218 to intersect the recess 229 and bore 224 angularly as illustrated. The intersection of the recess 231 and the bore 224 and recess 2 29 forms a triangular shaped projection 233. The upper portion of the projection 233 is preferably removed so that the upper face of the projection 233 is disposed somewhat below the surface 218.

The preferred modification of FIGS. 11 and 12 is especially suitable for being positioned about a skiers waist in the manner illustrated in FIG. 10. With the end member 142 and clamp members 113 and 212 positioned as described above and with the carrier in a tightened position the cable 110 is grasped at' a point adjacent the bore 224 of the clamp 212 and a portion of the cable 110 is moved upwardly through the recess 229, across the projection 233 and downwardly into the recess 231 as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 11. In this position the clamp 212 cannot be slid along the cable 110 and the device will remain securely tightened about the skiers waist.

Although the present invention has been described as employed for ski equipment, it is apparent that it is useful for a variety of other carrying and/or clamping applications.

It will similarly be apparent to those skilled in the art in which the invention pertains that various changes and modifications in the construction of the component parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carrier for ski equipment such as skis, ski poles and the like comprising,

(a) an elongated member at least the ends of which are flexible,

(b) clamping means on said elongated member adja cent each of said ends,

(c) said clamping means comprising a first and a second body member slidably mounted on and at opposite ends of said elongated member,

(d) the ends of said elongated member being provided with enlarged end portions and each of said body members being provided with a recess for receiving said elongated member whereby the ends of said elongated member can be returned upon themselves and inserted in said recess to form a closed loop about said ski equipment, axial separation of said body members and the ends of said elongated member to open said loop being prevented by said enlarged end portions,

(c) said first body member recess being provided with a radially enlarged portion to axially receive one of said enlarged portions of said elongated member,

(f) said enlarged end portion being provided with an annular recess,

(g) lock means carried by said first body member and being selectively movable into said annular recess of said enlarged portions of said elongated member (h) separable check means adapted to be carried by the operator for operating said lock means.

2. The carrier defined in claim 1 and including a handle portion on said elongated member and intermediate said body members.

3. The carrier defined in claim 1 and including,

(a) said body members being slidably mounted on said elongated member by means of through bores pro- "vided in said body members, and

(b) said through bores being of a smaller diameter than said enlarged portions of said elongated memher.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 and in which said through bores are disposed with their axes extending angularly with respect to the axes of said recesses.

5. The device as defined in claim 3 and in which said second body member comprises (a) a first recessed portion registering with an axial portion of said through bore, and

(b) a second recessed portion extending angularly with 20 respect to said through bore and said first recessed portion and intersecting the same whereby a portion of said elongated member can be moved from said through bore through said first recessed portion and positioned in said second recessed portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1939 Switzerland. 4/ 1940 Switzerland. 2/ 1957 Switzerland. 9/ 1958 Switzerland.

GERALD M. EORLENZA, Primary Examiner. HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiner.

J. E. OLDS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CARRIER FOR SKI EQUIPMENT SUCH AS SKIS, SKI POLES AND THE LIKE COMPRISING, (A) AN ELONGATED MEMBER AT LEAST THE ENDS OF WHICH ARE FLEXIBLE, (B) CLAMPING MEANS ON SAID ELONGATED MEMBER ADJACENT EACH OF SAID ENDS, (C) SAID CLAMPING MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST AND A SECOND BODY MEMBER SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON AND AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER, (D) THE ENDS OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH ENLARGED END PORTIONS AND EACH OF SAID BODY MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED WITH A RECESS FOR RECEIVING SAID ELONGATED MEMBER WHEREBY THE ENDS OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER CAN BE RETURNED UPON THEMSELVES AND INSERTED IN SAID RECESS TO FORM A CLOSED LOOP ABOUT SAID SKI EQUIPMENT, AXIAL SEPARATION OF SAID BODY MEMBERS AND THE ENDS OF SAID ELONGATED MEM- 